Electric eye rifle



l L J. VWAUDOU I ELECTRIC EYE RIFLE une 14, 1937 A Filed 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dee. 6.111938 fri.

narran 4sra-rss ELECTRIC ern nrFLE' vJeans.vivendo,Nev'timrk,r1.1. Application .time 14, 1937, serial No. 148.244

4 claims. (C1. 27a-1012),

This invention relates to new and useful lmprovements in toy rifles.

The invention has for an object the construction of a toy ri'iie which is characterized by the .fact that it is adapted to throw the image of a target on a wall or screen and illustrate where the target was hit by one using the gun.

More partlcuiarly, the invention proposes to provide a toy riile with a riile barrel in which a frame is slightly movably supported and has a projecting element in the line of vision between sights of the barrel, and adapted to be manually held in various adjusted positions so as to aim"ihe riile. It is proposed to so arrange the partsithat one's skill in properly holding the frame as determined by the projecting aiming element and the sights of the rifle determines the point at which the target is hit".

It is proposed to provide a. removable target illm for said frame and to dispose it within the lozu-rel of the gun and to provide an arrangement whereby an image of said target may be thrown upon a wall.

Still further the invention proposes the provision of a trigger control means for marking said lm to indicate .the place where the target was ht". v For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof. reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings. and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a toy rieV constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 8 is a. horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8-3 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a. fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. '1.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line iii-i or Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line H-ii of Fig. 2.

Fig. 1'2 ls a sectional view taken on the line i2--i2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of t'nc iront portion of the barrel of the gun as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line i--H of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the target nim per se.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on the line i'I-il of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on the line i8-i8 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line i3-i9 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 20 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 20-20 oi Fig. 16.

Fig. 21 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2i--2i of Fig. 16.

Fig. 22 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22-22 oi Fig. 16.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 23-23 of Fig. 16.

The toy rifle. according to this invention, comprises a rifle barrel i0 connected with a stock Ii and shaped and designed according to conventional appearances or a gun. The rifle barrel I0 is provided with a front sight i2 and a rear sight i3 to assist one in aiming the gun. A frame I4 is slightly movably supported transversely within the barrel i0 and has a projecting aiming element i4 arranged in the line of vision between the sights i2 and i3 and adapted to be manually held in adjusted positions. A removable target im i is mounted in the frame i4 and within the barrel i0. A lens i6 is arranged to the front of the lm I5. A lamp i`i is disposed behind the film I5 and is adapted to throw an image of the target from the target film i5 in cooperation with the lens i6 consistlng of one or more suitable magnifying glasses, upon a wail. screen, or the like.

There is e. means controlled by the trigger i8 for marking the film i5 to indicate when the target is hit. This means includes a pin I9' adapted to punch the illxn i5 as hereinafter more fully described.

The means for slightly removably supporting the frame i4 comprises the following structure:

ingresar l carica There are e. pair of transverse slightly spaced walls I9. 2U mounted transversely across the extendsout through an enlarged opening 24 in the bottom of the barrel i0. The screw 22 has a spherical head 25 by which it may be moved. The bushing 23 is siidabiy arranged by reason of l fiange portions thereon engaging-complementary the film ange portions formed on the lower ends on partitions i8 and 2u as Clearly shown in Figs. 2 and i?. The screw 22 threadedly engages through the bushing 23. The head 25 projects from the bottornof the gun' (see Fig. l) and may be shifted laterally, and turned so as to adjust the position of the frame I4.

The frame i4 has an open top through which l5 projects. The film I5 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 15. It comprises merely a strip of Celluloid or similar 'lm material upon which one or more targets I5il are imprinted. Only one target l5a is used at a time but the target. lm may be removed and turned upside-down and replaced into the frame so that the other target may be used. The projecting aiming element MS comprises a disc shaped element (see Fig. 7) formed with za.v

central opening Mb. It is through this opening that one must aim 4in conjunction with the sights l2 and i3 for the proper aiming o1' the gun. If the aiming element i 4 is too low it may be raised by properly turning the screw 22 or if high it may be lowered as required. It may be shifted laterally also.

The lens li5 is mounted within a tubular holder 2B which is engaged into the iront end of the rifle barrel l0. It may be manually extendedvor moved inwards to properly focus the lens. The lamp il is arranged in a circuit controlled by a switch 30, another switch 3i, and operated by the batteries 32. More speclcally, the batteries 32 are disposed within a casing 33 arranged upon the bottom of the gun. This casing has a door 34 upon one side which may be opened and through which the batteries .may be removed and replaced as require-1. The batteries 32 are arranged in series. The casing 331s supported by a. stud 34 (see particularly Fig. 10) which extends through a slot 35 formed longitudinally of and in the bottom wall of the gun barrel l0. The stud 34 has an enlarged head, as clearly shown in Fig. 10, so that it cannot dlscngage from the slot 35 and is limited to moving along in the slot.

The switch 3i comprises an arm 36 which is flxedly mounted on the stud 34 and which terminates in a contact 3| engagcable against the end contact of a socket il mounted on the wall 29 and in which the lamp I1 .is disposed. The socket ll' is connected with a lead 37 which connccts with the hand operated switch 33 (see Fig. 2). From this switch the circuit continues along the lead 38 to the spring Contact 39 engaging the back end of one of the batteries 32. From the end contact32' of the foremost battery 32 the circuit continues along lead 4D to the contact 3|. The arrangement is such that with the casing 33 in its normal position the switch 30 may be closed to close the circuit through the lamp I1 so that.the lamp ls lit. Furthermore, the casing 33 may be moved rearwards for loading the gun as hereinafter more fully explained, and during this period thc circuit to the lamp Il will trigger' i8.

be broken at the eontactiti so that there is no waste of electric current loaded.

The trigger control means film iti-includes :i rod 4-2 which is slidaoly mounted within the gun barrel and which has a wedgeshaped head 3 at one end cooperative with the i. e trigger i8 is pivotally supported by a pini-le di and is urged into an operative position by n spring 45. The trigger iB has a projecting end i82 which may be pulled. It also while the gun is being for marking the has an interior end IBD which is adapted to engage the head 43 for holding the rod 112 loaded'". The rod 42 is urged forwards by a. spring 36h arranged cozixiaily on the rod and acting between partition 29' arranged within the gun barrel. The front end of the rod 42 is provided with a head 48 which is adapted to strike and operate a pin puncture mechanism for the iilm l5.

There is a second'spring on the rod 42, the spring d6, which acts between the collar 41 and anlarm 471 mounted on the casing 33 and pro-' jeeting throigh the slot 35. This spring 4S* acts to urge the casing 33 into its forward position. When the casing 33 is manually moved rearwards', the spring t6 acting against the collar di* moves the rod 43 rearward to its loaded position and at the same time compresses spring 460. While the rod 43 remains rearward, the spring 45e mores the casing 33 forward to its initial position.

The 'pin puncture mechanism comprises a' member 49 which is hingedly mounted by a hinge construction 55 at its lower end within'thc barrel l0. The upper end of the member 49 is provided with the pin i9'. An expansion spring 5| normally holds the member 49 in a rearward' downward inclined position. The lomp Il is adapted to throw its rays over the top of the member 49 and through the film I5. There is also a shutter element 52 for assisting in properly directing the rays of light from the lamp. This shutter element is supported upon a cover element 53 which is slidably mounted on the top portion of the gun barrel. The cover element 53 has a pair of pegs 5d at its sides engaging longitudinal grooves 55 formed in the outer surfaces of the sidewall of the gun barrel. The arrangement is such that the cover 53 may be moved rearwards when desired. In its forward position,

as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, it helps in propf a collar 4l fixed on the rod and o. transversev dark place since the aiming element i4 will be illuminated.

The shutter 52 comprises merely a flexible strip of material, such as a. leaf spring, which is adapted to extend downwards through the slot 55 as shown for example in Fig. 2. or which may be forced upwards to an inoperative position between the top surface of the gun butt and the inside of. the cover element 453 as shown in Fig. 3.

The operation of the gun is as follows: The switch 30 may be closed for causing the lamp I1 to light and for throwing an image of the target upon a. wall or screen. The gun may be loaded by pulling the casing 33 rcarwards to the position shown in Fig. 3. During this interval o! guished because the circuit is broken at the coni tact 122 which is supported upon and moves :ilona with the casing 33.v The londingoi thegun con* sists merely in catching the wedge-shaped lie-ud 43 behind the ene is o: me trigger ia. *im casing 33 is then returned to its forward posltion where it 'is held in this position by a leaf spring holding element 59 (see Figs. 2 and 1l).

This leaf sprini holding element is sufficiently flexible so that the casing 33 may be drawn reaxwards nnen desired.

The gunl is illustrated in the loaded posi-tion in Fi". 4 and is ready to be fired; The operator now aims the gun by looking through the sightsi2 and i3 and thro-ugh vthe aimingelement |43. The aiming element |11a must be properlypositioned relative to the sides for perfect aun, The operator of the gun looks along the sights and at the picture of the target which is thrown on the wall. Of course, the aim oi' the gun ns far as the picture of the target on the wail is concerned does not exist. The true aim or' the gun consists in the relative adjustment of the frame iii relative to the sights i2 and i3. When the gun has been properly aimed the trigger i8 is pulled which pivots the trigger anti-clockwise until the head 63 is released and then the rod 132 is shot forward by the spring #6b to the posi. tion shown in Fig. 5. In this position the elcment 49 is swung upwards so that the pin i5 punctures the film i5. After the initial relense of the spring 58h it retums toits original position as shown in Fig. 2 and draws the rod 2 slightly rearwards to its original position and the rod 42 assumes the position shown in Fig. 2. The ex. pension spring 5| moves the member 49 back to its inclined position. The lamp i1 nowishininp,r through the film i5 throws an image of the target upon the wall or screen and the puncture part is clearly visible. The gun operator then takes note as to the accuracy of his aim. The gun may be ilred several times on the same film I5. After there are too many shots or -holes in the iilm i5, it may be removed and reversed so that the other imprinted target on the film may bc used. i

In Figs. 16-23 inclusive a modified form of the invention has been illustrated which distinguishes from the prior form in several respects. The main distinctions reside in the arrangement or having the batteries within the gun barrel, and having a different type of control for positioning the frame which supports the target hlm. According to this form of the invention the battery cells 32 are arranged within a. compartment formed in the gun barrel. They are urged for. ward by a leaf spring Si) so as to engage the end contact of the socket H. A pin 6| is slidnbly supported through the sidewall of the gun barrel and engages against the front one oi' tho batteries 32 and is adapted to be manually forced rearwards to break the circuit to the lamp i1, The pin Si passes through a bayonet slot 62 in the side wall of the gun barrel so that it may hold the batteries 32 in the inoperative position.

In this form of the invention there is a trigger i8' which has a wedge-shaped element lilc upon its inner end. This wedge-shaped element is m. operative with a wedge-shaped cut tli' formed in the rear end oithe rod 42'. This rod 52' is the trigger operator rod. It is urged forwards by the spring 48'. It may be moved reerwm'ds for loading the Kun by a peg B3 which is attached to a collar E4 upon the rod 42' und which pro.

jects through a slot e5 formed in4 en@ Si@ mm1l I' of the gun barrel.

The frame i4 may Toe-adjusted by the operation oi' n longitudinal member 65 arranged on the bottom oi the gun b-.rrreL This longitudinal mem-` -ber S6 has a stud 81 at one enti supported by a i spherical socket (,l mounted within-the gun bar- Y rel. The stud 57 projects through a somewhat lar-fre opening 5S. The iront end of the member 56 connects with a stein 22 which in turn con necis with the support strip 2i supporting the frame hi. The arrangementis such that the longltudi-nal member 85 may be universally moved Within a limited distance for correspondingly moving and adjusting the frame i4 and so aiming the gun.

There is also s. modified form oi' lens for proporly focusing the iilm image. This lens comprises a tubular member slidably mounted in the aun barrel and supporting the lens 'IS'. A handle li projects from the tubular member 'I0 nndvextends to a slot 'l2 in the gun barrel by which the vtubular member 'lil may be moved fory wards or renrwards for the focusing operation. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous one and similar parts may be identified by erals. i

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 16-23 inclusive is as follows: The pin Bl is pressed in the bayonet slot 62 in such a manner that the circuit is broken to the lamp i1 when the gun is not, used. The gun may be loaded by pulling the pin 63 to the position indicated in the dot and dash lines in Fig. 17.

corresponding reference num-.

In the loaded position the cut d3 of the rod 42' engages the Wedge-shaped portion 15 of the trigger.

The circuit to the lamp il is then closed by proper manipulation oi' the pin Si. An image of the target hlm is thrown on thc screen or wall and then the gun is aimed. To aim the gun the longitudinal element 66 is manipulated so ns to move and adjust the aiming element i4". To fire the gun the trigger i8' is pulled which releases the rod 52'. This rod is shot forward by the spring t6' which acts against the hinged element 4S and causes the pin I9' to puncture the target hlm.

While I have illustrated and described the preferrari embodiments of my invention, it is to bo understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modiiications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent iszl. In a toy rifle, a hollow gun butt having a gun barrel connected therewith, a frame adjustably mounted within said. gun butt, a removable target film for sind frame, a lens in said barrel in front of said nlm and a light in said butt and in back of said film for forming an image of said target on s. wall or other substantially at surface, a front sight on said gun barrel and a rear sight on said gun butt, an upwardly extending gun sight on said trame 4and projecting through an enlarged tcp opening in said gun butt and bc'- ing located between said sight-S. maDS fOr adjusting said frame to properly locate said gun sight between said sights to align said gun barrel with the bulls eye oi the image oi' the target on said wall, and means operable upon Vthe releasing oi A i i z the gun's trigger io punch a hole in said nlm to show the accuracy of ones aim when the light passes therethrough, said adjustable mounting of said frame comprising, e. pair of walls transversely mounted' across the lower hair of said barrel, and u support stri'n freely mounted between said walls and being adapted-to support said frame in various adjusted positions.

2. In a toy rifle, a. hollow gun butt having. a gun barrel connected therewith, a. frame adjustably mounted Withinv said gun butt, a removable target nlm for said frame. a. lens in said barrel in iront of said iin'a'and a light in said butt and in back of said nlm for forming an image of said target on a wall or other substantially fiat surface, a front sight on said gun barnei and a rear sight on said gun butt, an upirardiy extending gun sight on said frame and projecting through an enlarged top opening in said gun butt and being located between said sights, means for adjusting said frame to properly locate said gun sight between said sights to align said gun barrel with the bulls eye oi .the image of the target on said wall, and means operahie upon the releasing of the gun's trigger to punch a hole in said nlm to show the accuracy of oncs aim when the light passes therethrough, said adjustable mounting oi' said frame comprises a. pair of walls transversely mounted across the lower half of said barrel. and a support strip freely mounted between said walls and being adapted to support said frame in various adjusted positions, said -means for adjusting said frame, comprises a bushing Within said frame and beneath said support strip, iiange portions on the sides of said bushing which are adapted to engagev compiemenfary grooves in the inside faces of said Walls,

a screw passing through an enlarged opening in A said gun butt and threadedly passing through said bushing and lhaving its end supporting said support strip so that by turning said screw said ysaid frame an d buying a bulll's eye, meansfor movabiy supgwrting' said frame so as to be mov.-

other gun sight together as a unit for aiming said rile'by aligning ali of said gun sights with the bulls eye oi said image so that said -pin may be made to stiike the hulls eye of said target to record the accuracy of ones aim.

4. In a toy rifle, a rifle barrel, a frame mounted within said toy rirle, a target lm mounted on said frame and having abulls eye, means for movably supporting said frame so as to `he movable in all direction in a plane at right angles to the axis oi said rifle barrel, a, light ,dxedly mounted in back of said film f or t,rojecting an image of said target on a wall or other similar surface, gun sights mounted upon said toy riiie. another gunsight mounted on said frame and projecting through an opening formed in the top of said toy rie and located between said gun sights, a piercing pin for 'striking a. point on said plane coaxially with the axis ,of said rifie barrel, and means for manually moving said frame and other gun sight together as a unit for aiming said riiie by aligning all of said gun sights with the bulls eye of said image s o that said pin may be made to strike the buil's eye of said target to record the accuracy of ones aim, said frame and gun sight comprising a strip of metal, consisting of a. top portion constituting said gun sight and extending through said opening and being formed with a centrally disposed opening through which one may look, and a bottom portion continuing from said top portion and constituting said frame -aL-d having a centrally disposed opening and its edges bent inwards for receiving and holding said target lm in a position extended across said latter-mentioned opening.

JEAN E. VIVAUDOU. 

